Engine rebuild by specialist has turned into disaster. Your opinions welcome.
- Thread starter Bluebottle
- Start date
Gloucester
I have just spent a few minutes talking to Lee at Barum Engines, North Devon
www.barumenginesltd.com
Who was extremely helpful, patient and knowledgeable. In short he has concerns, particularly after 5000 miles and one year (out of warranty) and strongly suggested that I write an email detailing all the issues and concerns and request that they rectify everything while the car is with them and not hope for the best.
This has been duly done, so we will see what response I get.
Contact | Barum Engines Ltd
Reach out to Barum Engines Ltd now for inquiries or estimates. Find all Barum Engines Ltd contact details on our official page.
www.barumenginesltd.com
Who was extremely helpful, patient and knowledgeable. In short he has concerns, particularly after 5000 miles and one year (out of warranty) and strongly suggested that I write an email detailing all the issues and concerns and request that they rectify everything while the car is with them and not hope for the best.
This has been duly done, so we will see what response I get.
At the summit of the picturesque fens
I suppose it will depend on how honest, caring and professional the garage owner is.I have just spent a few minutes talking to Lee at Barum Engines, North Devon
Contact | Barum Engines Ltd
Reach out to Barum Engines Ltd now for inquiries or estimates. Find all Barum Engines Ltd contact details on our official page.
Who was extremely helpful, patient and knowledgeable. In short he has concerns, particularly after 5000 miles and one year (out of warranty) and strongly suggested that I write an email detailing all the issues and concerns and request that they rectify everything while the car is with them and not hope for the best.
This has been duly done, so we will see what response I get.
Either they will hold their hands up and do their best, or will deny everything and hope you go away. Judging by my experiences in the UK lately, it is more likely to be the latter, unfortunately, but you never know.
This is the garage owners response:
Hi Lee
Andy (owner mechanic) has asked if you can come in and see him next week either Wednesday or Friday to suit you to discuss.
So not going to see my car for another week!
Hi Lee
Andy (owner mechanic) has asked if you can come in and see him next week either Wednesday or Friday to suit you to discuss.
So not going to see my car for another week!
Contact | Barum Engines Ltd
Reach out to Barum Engines Ltd now for inquiries or estimates. Find all Barum Engines Ltd contact details on our official page.
Sorry to hear of your woes. Having been in a similar boat before, I know how much it sucks.
For the little it's worth, the company I work for (I am remote) is very close to those guys, and whenever I've driven past, they often have some lovely looking cars outside. I know that doesn't mean their work is great, but the types of cars there suggest good things. It's not just 'regular traffic', but more specialist machinery.
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FWIW, Barum have a YouTube channel. Watched a few of their bids. Funnily enough they seem to get the reverse problem of building an engine or honing a block and then getting shirty clients complaining (usually because of the clients own cockup.)
So met garage owner yesterday after sending firm and detailed email of all problems and concerns and a request to rectify FOC.
His response was polite and friendly and knowledgeable, but 5 mins after leaving I felt fooled.
No specific explanation of recommendation that the rebuilt engine requires a 5,000-mile running-in period and will remain "tight" during this time
Bad vibration from 65mph. He suspects Prop-shaft coupling need replacing at my expense
ABS/DSC warning fault. He suspects ABS pump has failed whilst the car was with them last year. He can repair at my expense.
Engine undertray missing. Why, despite me making him aware of this eight weeks ago and again when booking in three weeks ago, he still has not found the original item or sourced a suitable replacement to fit when the car was with him last week? A pattern part is on order to be fitted in future.
Exhaust heat shield not refitted. He gave me an explanation that it no longer needs to be refitted to E39s That I do not understand or accept; I would really like the original part refitted for peace of mind that the ABS module is protected from excessive heat. I highly suspect he has lost this shield as well.
Air conditioning not functioning. He suspect the compressor has failed whilst the car was with them last year; again, He can repair at my expense
Oil leak on sump. Apparently this was leaking from valve cover. This will be replaced FOC. Why has a gasket that typically lasts eight or nine years failed in only eight weeks?
I have asked for a detailed response to my original letter/email. I have also requested documentation confirming the components that were replaced (particularly pistons and rebore), including details of the parts fitted and any supporting records available, such as copies of supplier invoices, parts receipts, or photographs taken during the rebuild process.
This request arises from the fact that the vehicle was returned with multiple faults and several components not refitted, which has led me to question whether all work specified on the invoice was completed as described.
Whatever I do I will lose face and need to spend considerably more money and not see my car for many more months.
Pay this garage reluctantly,
Pay another garage reluctantly and hope that they are more professional
Do nothing and drive car but not enjoy the experience. I said earlier this was my perfect car but neither my wife nor I have much affection for this 5series at the moment
Try to find other specialists and pay to get their opinions
Get legal advice
Sell car with problems at great loss
His response was polite and friendly and knowledgeable, but 5 mins after leaving I felt fooled.
No specific explanation of recommendation that the rebuilt engine requires a 5,000-mile running-in period and will remain "tight" during this time
Bad vibration from 65mph. He suspects Prop-shaft coupling need replacing at my expense
ABS/DSC warning fault. He suspects ABS pump has failed whilst the car was with them last year. He can repair at my expense.
Engine undertray missing. Why, despite me making him aware of this eight weeks ago and again when booking in three weeks ago, he still has not found the original item or sourced a suitable replacement to fit when the car was with him last week? A pattern part is on order to be fitted in future.
Exhaust heat shield not refitted. He gave me an explanation that it no longer needs to be refitted to E39s That I do not understand or accept; I would really like the original part refitted for peace of mind that the ABS module is protected from excessive heat. I highly suspect he has lost this shield as well.
Air conditioning not functioning. He suspect the compressor has failed whilst the car was with them last year; again, He can repair at my expense
Oil leak on sump. Apparently this was leaking from valve cover. This will be replaced FOC. Why has a gasket that typically lasts eight or nine years failed in only eight weeks?
I have asked for a detailed response to my original letter/email. I have also requested documentation confirming the components that were replaced (particularly pistons and rebore), including details of the parts fitted and any supporting records available, such as copies of supplier invoices, parts receipts, or photographs taken during the rebuild process.
This request arises from the fact that the vehicle was returned with multiple faults and several components not refitted, which has led me to question whether all work specified on the invoice was completed as described.
Whatever I do I will lose face and need to spend considerably more money and not see my car for many more months.
Pay this garage reluctantly,
Pay another garage reluctantly and hope that they are more professional
Do nothing and drive car but not enjoy the experience. I said earlier this was my perfect car but neither my wife nor I have much affection for this 5series at the moment
Try to find other specialists and pay to get their opinions
Get legal advice
Sell car with problems at great loss
Same sentiment as before. I’m gutted for you as whatever happens you aren’t going to feel good about it 100% for a load of reasons.
I’d say even if you went small claims court there is little there that can on balance be laid at the fault of the garage- ABS and ac failures can be blamed on end of life components.
Only you can make the decision of what to do next but take advice from people who’s opinions you value to get to what will give you ‘closure’ (I hate that term)
I’d say even if you went small claims court there is little there that can on balance be laid at the fault of the garage- ABS and ac failures can be blamed on end of life components.
Only you can make the decision of what to do next but take advice from people who’s opinions you value to get to what will give you ‘closure’ (I hate that term)
A bum deal.
Part of the reason I recommended The Car Edition LTD was because they've catalogued work done by cowboys so the owner has evidence for the court.
If you can afford to get it redone properly and you love the car, then bite the bullet.
If you're in no man's land, get a borescope shoved down a plug hole by a proper professional. You can then make your choice.
Last option is to part it out.
I sincerely feel for you. Tell everyone who'll listen that the garage in question is not to be trusted.
Part of the reason I recommended The Car Edition LTD was because they've catalogued work done by cowboys so the owner has evidence for the court.
If you can afford to get it redone properly and you love the car, then bite the bullet.
If you're in no man's land, get a borescope shoved down a plug hole by a proper professional. You can then make your choice.
Last option is to part it out.
I sincerely feel for you. Tell everyone who'll listen that the garage in question is not to be trusted.
Really sorry to hear the problems you are having and hope you can get it resolved successfully.
If it were me I’d book the car into a local garage and have them check if the timing has been done correctly, turn the engine over by hand with the spark plugs out to make sure there are no tight points and have a look for any other possible causes of the vibration/misfire.
I had a transit van that I was convinced had a misfire under acceleration on the motorway as it stopped when I slowed, turned out to be a driveshaft joint that had failed, so it may not be engine related.
If it were me I’d book the car into a local garage and have them check if the timing has been done correctly, turn the engine over by hand with the spark plugs out to make sure there are no tight points and have a look for any other possible causes of the vibration/misfire.
I had a transit van that I was convinced had a misfire under acceleration on the motorway as it stopped when I slowed, turned out to be a driveshaft joint that had failed, so it may not be engine related.
Well here goes. Collected my car last Tuesday and am even more annoyed. After waiting months for my engine undertray to be replaced , I get some tiny cheap ebay part that only covers the radiator not the sump or steering. (better images to follow).
The garage's response to my concerns are detailed here
I cannot believe his refusal to fit ABS Heatshield and an unbelievable excuse about it containing asbestos. I spoke to two car breakers that found this nonsense.
I am concerned that driving without any heat shield will further damage my ABS. Another garage questions whether my car will fail MOT without the heat shield seen here 2024.
and not here today
I have given the garage more than enough time to respond professionally, but their work is poor quality, their care atrocious and absolutely no respect for customers, especially one that has paid them a lot of money. I hope that you realise that this is not a personal vendetta but based on facts.
I will be contacting every ombudsman and Federation I can. Please feel free to spread the word about this establishment, I will be.
The garage's response to my concerns are detailed here
I cannot believe his refusal to fit ABS Heatshield and an unbelievable excuse about it containing asbestos. I spoke to two car breakers that found this nonsense.
I am concerned that driving without any heat shield will further damage my ABS. Another garage questions whether my car will fail MOT without the heat shield seen here 2024.
and not here today
I have given the garage more than enough time to respond professionally, but their work is poor quality, their care atrocious and absolutely no respect for customers, especially one that has paid them a lot of money. I hope that you realise that this is not a personal vendetta but based on facts.
I will be contacting every ombudsman and Federation I can. Please feel free to spread the word about this establishment, I will be.
Yeah, not on a 2001 BMW!
I have a warning sticker on my E30 (1989) about asbestos in the engine bay. If there was risk of it being in your car, there'd by a sticker. Germany banned asbestos in 1993 - 8 years before your car was built - so no way it was asbestos.
Ask them how they disposed of the old asbestos if you really wanna troll/test them...
I think the days of passing a car engine rebuild to a local garage (or even independent) are far gone sadly. Very few have the experience or capability and most don’t want to know - not least because engines nowadays last a long time without much effort and therefore they don’t need to offer the service. Unlike the 60s/70s when rebuilds were commonplace.
Sadly if an engine expires now it’s now far more successful to transplant an engine or buy a different car. The only deviation is of more expensive specialist cars where there remains expertise but in these instances you are looking at £30000 rebuilds for six figure sum cars.
Sadly if an engine expires now it’s now far more successful to transplant an engine or buy a different car. The only deviation is of more expensive specialist cars where there remains expertise but in these instances you are looking at £30000 rebuilds for six figure sum cars.
Well, you aren't the first to say that. I wish that I spoke to more people before I went through this year of stress and time. Oh and a lot of money. I have learnt my lesson now.
I am sorry that my reply doesn’t answer your crisis but I think it’s a reason why we might be where we are. But clearly the garage was at fault for leaving your car basically unattended for six months in the open which has caused a range of subsequent issues. I would never leave any car that long with anybody.